Method of making a resilient twisted band



- Aug. 28, 1956 2,760,330

METHOD OF MAKING A RESILIENT TWISTED BAND Filed June 11, 1952 W. J.LOWNEY IN VEN TOR.

BY l mma/gm.

United States Patent METHOD OF MAKING A RESILIENT TWISTED BAND WilliamJ. Lowney, Raeford, N. C.

Application June 11, 1952, Serial No. 292,846

2 Claims. (CI. 57-158) This invention relates to certain novelimprovements in garment supporters of the twisted covered rubber threadtype used to encircle the limb of the wearer.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a resilient twistedrope band made from twisted covered rubber or elastic thread which willbe extremely flexible and yieldable and which will be particularlyadapted for use with hook-on boot bands.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new article ofmanufacture of the above described character which may be made fromtwisted covered rubber or elastic covered thread.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new article ofmanufacture consisting in the stretching of a length of bare elasticthread to a predetermined tension, and maintaining this tension whilethe elastic thread is covered with two coverings of either cotton, rayonor nylon, or both. The undercovering is wrapped on the bare elasticthread in one direction, while the outer covering is wrapped on thefirst wrapping in a reverse direction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new article ofmanufacture comprising a balanced covered elastic thread, which will laystraight without twists or kinks, and possess maximum strength.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully setforth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention and the objects thereof,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein a particularform of the invention is indicated. These drawings when used inconjunction with the following description serve to illustrate theinvention, its principles and the operation thereof, while the claimsindicate the scope thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the boot-band embodying thisinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged section of the elastic thread showing itsreverse wrappings;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the machine used for twisting theelastic covered threads after they have been 1 formed into a loop, theloop being shown in full lines on the hooks, ready for the firstoperation;

Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the twisting operations used toproduce the boot-band.

Similar reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout thedrawings.

In the construction of the hook-on boot-bands, a length of bare elasticthread is stretched to a specified tension, and the tension ismaintained while the elastic thread 10 is covered with a covering 11preferably of cotton thread termed the under covering and wrapped on theelastic thread in one direction, while the outer covering 12 preferablyof nylon or rayon yarn or thread is wrapped on the under covering in anopposite direction. This produces a balanced covered elastic thread,which will lay straight without kinks or twist and which will havemaximum strength. The amount of stretch in the 7 2,760,330 lifatentedAug. 28, 1956 finished covered thread can be regulated by the amount oftension placed on the bare rubber or elastic thread while it is beingcovered, and this is controlled by a feeding device, and a pull updevice on a conventional thread covering machine (not shown).

The covered elastic thread 14 is formed into a loop 15 by winding on aconventional reel (not shown) to give the length of loop desired. Theloop of covered elastic thread 14 (see diagram A) is stretched between arotatable hook 16 mounted in a head stock 17 and the other end isattached to a stationary hook 18 mounted in a tail stock 19. The hook 16is then rotated one revolution in a clockwise direction for the firsttwist. The end of the loop is then removed from the hook 18, and withoutreleasing the twist is then brought over and around the center rod 20,and placed on the hook 21 (see diagram B). The other end of the loop isthen removed from the hook 16 and placed on the hook 21 (see diagram C).The net effect of these steps is to fold the twisted loop about itsmiddle around the center rod as clearly shown in diagrams B and C ofFigure 5. A second twist consisting of onehalf revolution is thenapplied in a counterclockwise direction, by rotating the hook 21. Theresult of this action is to twist both halves of the band together. Thelast mentioned twist is applied in a direction counterclockwise to thatimparted originally in order to create a substantial state of balance inthe finished article, since after folding the tendency to unwind in bothhalves of the band is exerted in opposite directions. By applying atwist in the folded band only half that of the original twist and in anopposite direction, the aforesaid state of balance is substantiallyobtained. The closed book 23 is placed through the ends of the band atone end on the hook 21, sealing the twist. An open hook 24 is placed inthe opening in the loop in the opposite end. The band 14 is thenimpregnated with a rubber latex, which protects it against moisture andimproves the wearing qualities of the band. The machine used fortwisting the loop into the boot band preferably comprises rotary shafts26 and 27 attached to the rotatable hooks 16 and 21 respectively, andmounted in a head stock 17. Gears 28 and 29 drive the hooks 16 and 21 inopposite directions with a ratio of 2 to 1, by a motor 30 through theoperation of its pulley 31, belt 32 and pulley 33 attached to the shaft26. The revolutions of the hooks are recorded on a counter 34 to controlthe amount of twist in each band. The head and tail stock are mounted ona base plate 22.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification, it is not desired to limit thisapplication for patent to this particularly form as it is appreciatedthat other forms of construction could be made that would use the sameprinci ples and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. The method of preparing a hook-on boot band comprising selecting anelastic thread and tensioning same, wrapping a covering on the elasticthread, while so tensioned, in one direction, wrapping a top covering onthe first covering and in an opposite direction, forming a loop withsaid covered thread, twisting said loop in one direction while undertension, folding the twisted loop about its center to form two equalparts while the tension is maintained, twisting the folded loop in adirection opposite to the original twist and, said twisting being alsoof a lesser amount than the original twist, then sealing the twoadjoining ends together and sealing the opposite end, to form a band.

2. In the method set forth in claim 1, the added step of impregnatingthe band with rubber latex.

(References on following page) References Cited'in 'the'file of thisfiatent UNITED STAIES PATENTS 7 3,662 Culver Nov. 23, 1915 12,490Swansea 5 -Ailg. 6, 1 918 263576 Arnold JMai. 1,319.33 5 656,824 ShnllerN WEZZ 1949 Cres'by et al.- j Mar; 14; 1950 4 V FOREIGN PATENTS GreatBritaigi of 1813 Great Britain of 1849 Germany Aug. 15, 1913 GermanyFeb. 22, 1938

